News
Hookers practicing their trade.
Organization plans crack down on young, dirty hookers
The Pointless
whatthehell@uwsp.edu
The state of Wisconsin is taking action to crack down on the number of young women becoming hookers. The new statewide chapter of Hugs Not Hooks hopes to raise awareness of the growing crocheting menace and offering alternative programs for youths.
HNH founder Cindy Blanchette knows the dangers of unmonitored hooking all too well. Her oldest daughter Claudia, is currently serving the first of a five-year jail sentence for maintaining an illegal crocheting operation.
“At first I just noticed she had a lot of new hats and sweaters,” said Blanchette. “It wasn’t until I noticed money missing from my wallet and an increasing amount of yarn in the house that I thought there might be a problem.”
Claudia had been turned on to crocheting by a friend’s older sister who had been a hooker since middle school. What began as a weekend activity soon grew into a much larger problem, as Claudia began skipping school and hooking on the street. As her involvement in hooking grew, she began recruiting other girls from school to join her.
“I never thought Claudia was a bad kid,” said neighbor and classmate Alison Verk. “Then one day I walked past her as she stood on a street corner and I could hardly believe my eyes. She was making a scarf.” Wisconsin is far from being the only area feeling the effects of increased hooking activity. According to watchdog group Parents Against Yarn-Based Activities, the number of young women being drawn into underground crocheting rings nationally has nearly tripled since 1999. Suspected factors include the increased availability of cheaper foreign yarn, colder winters calling for warmer apparel and a cultural arts and crafts revival.
“As the economy has declined, the number of women of all ages turning to street hooking has increased,” said PAYBA spokesperson Francine Clemp. “Women are now seeing hooking as a viable way to keep clothes on the backs of their families rather than the illicit and immoral activity it has been traditionally viewed as.”
Currently, the average age of a starting hooker is 13, the lowest in statistical history. PAYBA places the blame on modern technology, claiming that hooking is simply a placeholder activity to keep the hands busy when away from electronic devices. However, there is good news coming from PAYBA.
“We have seen the percentage of youth knitters decrease significantly since we began our needle exchange program,” said Clemp. “The only thing worse than a young hooker is a knitter using dirty needles, which can lead to infections and slipped stitches.”
For more information about hooking and preventive or alternative treatments for yarn-based activities, contact your local chapter of HNH or PAYBA.
This article was written for “The Pointless” - The Pointer’s April Fools Day alter ego
